I've been managing to awake with the husband the last few weeks. I like to do this so that I can braid his hair for work. It's gotten quite long, and he's promised not to cut it until after our tenth wedding anniversary - which is in May. I love the feel of his hair in my hands... over, under, over, under... as I weave his hair into a long plait. It's become a simple morning ritual that I enjoy, despite feeling groggy at times.
Getting up at 5 a.m. has it's benefits, as I get some quiet time. I used to use this time to exercise, but now I use it to work. I finish up my lessons, and just when I ponder making a cup of tea and curling up on the sofa with a book or crocheting, my eldest wanders out. Their timing is impeccable.
She is wearing her flannel PJs, and she comes to me so that I can hold her in a morning hug. I breathe her in - she's so big now. We chat for a bit, and then my youngest wanders out, wiping the sleep from her eyes and squinting at the light. I give her a squeeze as I prep her morning bottle.
I ask my eldest if she wants to eat now, or wait until I've exercised. She decides to wait and curls up with a book. I opt for no music today, as I work out and stretch, while dodging a little miss who comes in for hugs and imitates my movements. I've been trying to do this at least 3 days a week, and I can feel the difference in my moods. Eventually, I hope to fit in walking... we shall see, as we are still getting used to the autumnal rhythm of our week.
I make breakfast for all, then start the soup for dinner tonight. I love making it. It connects me to the earth and motherhood - the sheer act of nurturing my family with food grown in the earth. I rinse and chop the onions while the olive oil heats in the pot. I add in the onions and garlic, and when they become iridescent, I add in the chicken broth.
My eldest has offered help (she is a part of this soup ritual of mine). I let her stir the pot, lifting up my youngest to watch. "Was-in here?" she asks in her squeaky voice. Her face is alive with curiosity. My eldest proudly explains to her that we are making soup. One day, she will make it on her own, she tells me. I secretly hope that day will be a while away, as I enjoy doing this with her. She's growing so fast already.
Eventually, I am able to continue chopping the vegetables to add in: celery (fresh from my friend's garden), carrots, potatoes and swiss chard (also from my friend's garden). I let them add the lentils - green, orange and indigo ones. The smell is intoxicating, and as I'm adding the last ingredients, my friend arrives to do yoga. I set it to simmer and join her.
My eldest has set up the mats, and after a bit of chat we fall into the rhythmic poses. Well, my friend does. My beginning is a challenge as my youngest is clingy and wants to be held. I scoop her into my arms and try to calm her, longing to be in downward dog pose feeling my calves stretch. Instead, I am focused on the wee one in my arms, who is still processing the sensory integration from yesterday's class. I can tell by her mood.
Eventually, I'm able to complete an asana or two. My eldest started with us, but decided she was having balance issues today. Thus, it's not long before she is cozied up on the couch with a good book. She's read through two
Magic Treehouse books this morning.
I do a few of the poses while holding my youngest at the end. This comforts her, and causes her to laugh. For the last pose, she needs her own pillow, then lays down imitating us. Namaste. I love the Savasana at the end. I could lie there all day, but that is simply not to be.
A bit more chat, and my friend is gone. The girls are hungry so we eat lunch. My eldest complains about the smell of my veggie burger, and my youngest is wearing most of her yogurt. I long to eat my meal in quiet, and savor my hot tea. Just as I finish, and am trying to enjoy my warm tea, the youngest announces she is done. I clean her up, load up the dishwasher, and wipe the table.
After lunch, we start math with eldest. Youngest is fighting sleep. I get my eldest started, and lay down with the youngest. We read a book about three times. She pushes for four. I give in. Finally, I use joint compression and massage to calm her. It's not long before she drifts to sleep.
I return to eldest who is doing a math assessment to check in. She's progressing well. I check into work to see my other students have been active. I take a glance at Facebook to see what's happening. I linger on
Soulemama's post. She's recently moved, and found a place she calls home. The happiness I feel for this woman I've never met (but long to) is overflowing. She's inspired me in so many ways. Her photos and writing is a soft balm to me on those days when life proves challenging and rushed. Her blog forces me to stop and breathe for a moment during the day. Thank you, Amanda. Thank you.
I quickly check on the soup, remember to finally turn on the dishwasher, and that there is laundry down stairs. Checking in with the eldest who's finished the assessment, I get the clothes to fold them.
I am amazed at the amount of pink and red clothes that I am folding. Most belonging to the kids, although I confess that there are a pair of pink pj's, red fuzzy socks, and two tops that are mine. My thoughts wander to the floor that we need to put in this weekend, and how we'll be moving the clothing that I'm folding into another room. I shove the clothes into the drawers, hang up what is needed, and smile at my sleeping angel. Which reminds me I need to prep her snack for when she wakes up.
Back into the kitchen, I prep a snack, check on eldest (who's been decorating her worksheets), and sit in front of the computer to fit in some work while keeping an eye on my little artist. I sit down and take a breath as I stare at the screen.
I can smell the soup wafting through the house. I hear the gentle lull of the dishwasher, and the tune my little artists hums while figuring out math problems. I can feel autumn's chill drift in on the air through the open window. I see the green trees sporting bits of red here and there. And I see that yet another student considers me to be his favorite teacher. I breathe deeply. I can do this.
I begin to tackle my work, ignoring the urge to check email and Facebook. My eldest wants to talk about America. She's decided to learn a bit about California (where she gets to design her own surfboard) and Colorado today.
I finish up what I can for work, and check on the soup. Hubby will be home soon, or not, as the phone rings and he informs me that he's stuck in traffic. Bummer. I stir the soup while chatting with him. Grabbing a handful of almonds to eat, I put the Kuerig on (as opposed to the kettle), and settle in to check math while snuggling eldest who's trying to figure out California's nickname (which was encoded). Oh, yeah, I wanted to make tea.
I hop up to make a cup, pop in tea to steep, listen to see if Sleeping Beauty has awaken, grab more almonds, and return to check math. I find a few things to see if she can fix them, and she recognizes the errors right away. I clear up the sheets and start prepping for tomorrow's lessons.
Hubby calls to inform me of the traffic situation. I ponder if I should clean the bathrooms, or check email. I opt to tackle a few more work posts after skimming Facebook. As I finish up a post, I hear what sounds like a tea kettle sound. I go in and gather my little one for her snack.
Holding her in my arms, I opt to gather the kids on the couch and feed her there. I call forth the eldest, to snuggle while finishing her work up. I gather the food, and remember my tea - which is now warm - and hit play on the CD player. The girls are snuggling together, so I grab the opportunity for a photo before the eldest makes a run for it followed by the youngest. Which ends back on the couch in a fest of giggles, at which point hubby calls and is coming home.
I empty the dishwasher with my usual rhythm, and my littlest helps me set the table. I set out the bowls; she set the spoons. I feel my body relax into the calming music. Hubby arrives and I spoon out the soup. We sit at the table chatting about the day, smiling, relaxing.
I will not clean this evening. No, I have finished up work for the evening. I'm going to log off, and settle in with the family. I need more snuggles I think. Maybe, I'll make time to read or crochet or watch a movie. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of
The Wind and The Willows at bed time. It's a good book that reminds us of dear friends, and the perfect way to settle down before bed.
This is my life. Peppered with moments of all kinds. I need to stop, to put this into words, so I don't forget.
